Skype has announced a major new version of its mobile app will be available to the iPhone beginning next week. Skype 5.0 for iPhone has been rewritten from the ground up, according to Skype, and is the most significant launch for Skype on iOS since the first version of the app.
Skype says the new app is five times faster than the old version; offers smooth scrolling within and transitions between conversations; improves group chat support and will deliver messages whether or not users are online; and is better at syncing notifications and read receipts between devices and platforms.
Skype says the new iPhone app will be available in about a week, and will be followed with a separate version for the iPad.
Here’s what you can expect from the redesigned app:
- Faster: You’ll notice the effort we’ve put into this overhaul as soon as you launch Skype 5.0 for iPhone. The new version is over 5 times faster than the old version.
- Smoother: As you swipe from conversations through to your favorites and then back to your contacts lists, you’ll notice how smooth scrolling and transitioning from screen to screen is – with delightful little pops and animations punctuating them. All without degrading the performance and battery improvements we worked so hard to achieve.
- More Integrated: Now, iPhone users can start group chats from the hub. And when you send messages or photos, it doesn’t matter if the recipient is offline. Everyone will see your message as soon as they are available again.
- Smarter: We know our users are using Skype on multiple devices, and we want to make sure your Skype notifications keep pace with your conversations, no matter where they happen. Now, as you read your messages on your PC, tablet, Xbox and so on, those conversations will be marked as read (or unread if new messages come in) on your iPhone too.
